- Date released: 15 September 2025
- Request number: 202507025
- Release of information under: FOI
Information requested
I would like to request an annual breakdown of numbers relating to ONR inspections
and incidents going back to 1 January 2019. I would like to know:
- The annual number of inspections carried out each year
(broken down by inspections for civil nuclear license holders and other entities) - The annual number of licence condition activities carried out
(I would like this data to be broken down by type of license condition activity and a brief description/definition of what that activity is if it is not obvious from its title) - The annual number of inspection activities carried out by security and safeguard teams
(I would like this data to be broken down by type of license condition activity and a brief description/definition of what that activity is if it is not obvious from its title) - The annual number of inspection activites focusing on transport
(I would like this data to be broken down by type of license condition activity and a brief description/definition of what that activity is if it is not obvious from its title) - The annual number of inspection activities focusing on radiological and conventional health and safety
(I would like this data to be broken down by type of license condition activity and a brief description/definition of what that activity is if it is not obvious from its title) - The annual number of INF1 reports that the ONR has received broken down into
categories (nuclear / radiological / security / safeguards / transport / another)
(I would like this data to be separated into civil nuclear license holders and other entities. I would also like the data to be separated into severity categories such as major, minor, moderate, no significance, etc)
I would like the data to be provided in Excel format. I would like to the data to be as up to date as possible.
Information released
We confirm that under s.1 of the FOIA, we hold the information you have requested. Please see spreadsheet attached.
Further information
In mid-2022, ONR introduced a new digital system which significantly changed how we record inspection data. This means that inspection data for the period 2023-2025 is not comparable with previous results.
It is important to note that the number and type of inspections we carry out vary for several reasons, for example:
- activities being taken at the site;
- sites moving to a reduced risk profile;
- increasing use of larger themed inspections that cover multiple licence conditions or legislation; and,
- improving on ‘cross-purpose’ inspections where multiple topics and areas are covered on the same visit thus reducing the overall number of site inspections.
Further, in recent years, we have consciously challenged ourselves to use a broader mix of regulatory activities (permissioning, issues management, enforcement, provision of regulatory advice and guidance). These are used alongside traditional compliance inspections which provide an important snapshot but do not always offer the wider intelligence to help us target our scrutiny efficiently and effectively.
We have also focussed on deploying our resource more efficiently while ensuring our regulatory burden on the industry is proportionate and targeted based on the level of risk. So, for example, a site in the advanced stages of decommissioning, where the level hazard and risk are very low, may now receive fewer inspections than previously, or compared to an operating power station or high hazard site such as Sellafield.
With reference to the incident data, it is important to note that ‘incident’ in a nuclear regulatory context is a broad term which applies to a wide range of issues and shortfalls that are reportable under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, the Nuclear Industries (Dangerous Occurrences) Regulations 1965 and the Nuclear Industry Security Regulations 2003. The vast majority of incidents reported are of minor safety and security significance, however, the reporting of such incidents may still provide opportunities to identify additional actions that dutyholders can take to improve their overall performance. Consequently, an open and conservative approach to incident reporting by the nuclear industry is encouraged and welcomed by ONR.
All of the above seeks to support the efficient use of resources while supporting our core priority of ensuring nuclear safety and protecting workers and the public.
Exemptions applied
N/A
PIT (Public Interest Test) if applicable
N/A